Elimelek (Naomi’s Husband)
Category: Failure of trust in God’s provision
Could endure: Stay in Bethlehem (“House of Bread”) during famine and trust the LORD.
“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” (Psalm 145:15)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 11:13–15; Matthew 6:31–33.
Chose wrongly: Left the promised land for Moab.
“Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.” (Ruth 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 26:1–2; Isaiah 30:1–2.
Endured (negatively): Death in a foreign land.
“Now Elimelek… died.” (Ruth 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 17:5–6.
Why (wrong motive): Seeking safety and provision outside God’s promise.
“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man… went to live for a while in the country of Moab.” (Ruth 1:1)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 28:23–24; Hosea 10:13.
Result: Left Naomi a widow, with sons soon to die also.
“After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died.” (Ruth 1:5)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 106:43; James 4:14.
Mahlon & Kilion (Naomi’s Sons)
Category: Failure of covenant fidelity
Could endure: Marry within Israel, uphold covenant faith.
“Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons.” (Deuteronomy 7:3)
Cross-Refs: Joshua 23:12–13; Ezra 9:1–2.
Chose wrongly: Married Moabite women outside covenant.
“They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth.” (Ruth 1:4)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 13:23–25; Malachi 2:11.
Endured (negatively): Death without children.
“Both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.” (Ruth 1:5)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 14:29; Romans 6:21.
Why (wrong motive): Pragmatism in a foreign land, disregard for covenant command.
“…they lived there about ten years.” (Ruth 1:4)
Cross-Refs: Hosea 5:7; 1 Corinthians 15:33.
Result: Family line cut off, Naomi left destitute.
“Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.” (Ruth 1:5)
Cross-Refs: Lamentations 1:1; Proverbs 13:12.
Orpah
Category: Failure of loyalty & perseverance
Could endure: Follow Naomi and embrace the God of Israel.
“Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 — Ruth’s words, contrasting Orpah)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 73:28; Matthew 19:29.
Chose wrongly: Turned back to Moab.
“At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye.” (Ruth 1:14)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 13:21–22; Luke 9:62.
Endured (negatively): Returned to her gods and people, fading from Scripture.
“Look… your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods.” (Ruth 1:15)
Cross-Refs: Judges 2:12; Jeremiah 2:13.
Why (wrong motive): Desire for comfort, familiarity, easier path.
“…back to her people and her gods.” (Ruth 1:15)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 3:19; 2 Timothy 4:10.
Result: Lost opportunity to be part of God’s redemptive story.
“But Ruth clung to her.” (Ruth 1:14)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 10:39; Hebrews 11:25.